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Nanostructured Catalytic Electrodes For Fuel Cells, Weimin Zhang

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

The main goal of this study was to design and develop novel electrocatalysts that exhibit high catalytic activity whilst maintaining 100 % selectivity for a desired product. Such catalytic materials will improve the performance of fuel cells by increasing cell efficiency and by removing by-products, thus eliminating waste in fuel cells electrocatalytic reactions.

A cobalt porphyrin electrocatalyst embedded in a conducting polypyrrole matrix was prepared using either a vapour phase polymerization or in-situ chemical polymerization method. The composite material showed enhanced catalytic activity and stability toward the electrochemical reduction of oxygen when compared with the original cobalt complex. The performance …

The Controlled Release Of Dexamethasone From Polyterthiophene-Based Conducting Polymers, Grace Stevenson

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

Controlled drug delivery has been widely researched since being introduced over 50 years ago. Systems for controlled release are important for improving the pharmacological profile of therapeutic compounds. Controlled delivery systems have been designed to give sustained and delayed release as well as for targeted delivery which minimises side effects such as toxicity, which can be associated with systemic drug delivery. Many materials have been used for controlled release, with the main focus being on polymer based systems.

Over recent years conducting polymers have been used in controlled drug release applications. These materials possess unique redox switching properties which enable …

The Chemical Properties And Characterisation Of Photomorphic Silver Nanoparticles And Their Application As An Antimicrobial Agent, George Patrick Lee

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

Spherical seed silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been photo-irradiated in the presence of trisodium citrate (TSC) and 4, 4’-(phenylphosphinidene) bis (benzenesulfonic acid) dipotassium salt (BSPP) to produce flat prismatic nanoparticles. Significantly, these nanoparticles were demonstrated to be capable of reversibly transforming from prisms to discs when subjected to light or dark conditions. For instance, the particles truncate from prisms to discs when placed in the dark, and switch back to prisms when returned to the light. Particles transformed to disc-shapes are referred to as dark-transformed AgNPs while the particles that are driven back to prism shapes are referred to as light-transformed …

Novel Polythiophene Materials For Bionic Applications, Robert Breukers

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

Bionics is the revolutionary area of medical research concerned with the interface between biology and electronics. For the next generation of bionic devices, new electromaterials need to be developed. Conducting polymers are excellent candidate electromaterials for these bionic devices. Due to their ease of synthesis and functionalisation, polythiophenes are one of the best candidate conducting polymers. Here the synthesis and optimisation of novel polythiophene materials for bionic applications was investigated. The research focused on four key properties that are desirable for bionic materials; functionality, biodegradability, processability and biocompatibility.

The introduction of functionality into polythiophene materials was demonstrated through the synthesis …

Using Band Microelectrode Arrays To Investigate The Cut Edge And Bare Corrosion Behaviour Of 55% Al-Zn Coated Steel, Troy Lowe

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

This thesis describes investigations into the initiation and short term atmospheric corrosion behaviour of 55% Al-Zn metal coating. It explores the influence of ions produced by localised oxidation and reduction reactions to affect nearby sites during bare and cut edge corrosion. Band microelectrode(BME) arrays were used to achieve this aim.

Al-40% Zn alloy exhibiting solid solution precipitate microstructures were prepared as model alloys for the α-phase of a 55% Al-Zn metal coating on steel. The effect of electrolyte composition and pH on the polarisation electrochemistry was investigated. Enhanced anodic processes were observed in Cl- compared to SO4 2- electrolytes. The …

Conducting Composite Fibres, Alberto Javier Granero Rodriguez

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

The production of conducting composite fibres via wet-spinning is studied in this thesis. The main objectives pursued are (1) to develop the knowledge and understanding of such materials, (2) to create new composites based on biopolymers or synthetic polymers and conducting materials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or conducting polymers (CPs) for possible use in medical and bionic applications and (3) study the effects of pre- and post- processing parameters on the electrical and mechanical characteristics of the composite fibres.

Two wet-processing techniques are used to produce composite fibres, i.e. polyelectrolyte complexation and solvent / non-solvent wet spinning. These methodologies …

Carbon Nanotube Composite Architectures For Use As A Novel Electrodes, Suriya Ounnunkad

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

Electrode platforms based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or their composites have been extensively investigated over the last two decades since their discovery. CNT‐based electrode platforms have been intensively researched in the electroanalytical and electronic fields. CNTs offer many excellent properties to create electrochemical devices and also improve the properties of composites made from them. Consequently, the theme of this thesis utilises one kind of CNT architecture, which to date has not been successfully investigated for use in electrochemical sensing applications. This architecture, CNT paper or CNT Buckypaper (BP), can be easily prepared and processable by a vacuum‐assisted filtration of well‐dispersed …

Printing Conducting Polymer Structures On And Embedded In Biopolymer Platforms, Charles A. Mire

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

Tissue engineering (using laboratory grown tissue to treat injury) and bionics (technologically augmenting the human body) are advancing the range of medical treatments and prostheses options for patients. New materials continue to be developed which address important tissue engineering and bionics requirements, such as improved cellular response, tissue-like softness and exibility, and bio-degradation where appropriate. These materials include biopolymers, such as chitosan and hyaluronic acid, and conducting polymers, such as polyaniline and poly(3,4 ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT/PSS). In tandem with new material development, fabrication methods are needed to construct tissue scaffolds or bionic devices. Where conventional fabrication methods do not work, new …

Improving The Performance Metrics Of Enzymatic Biofuel Cells, Shannon Little

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016

The shift towards renewable energy solutions in order to meet the demands of an exponentially growing populace has resulted in significant amounts of research into new, environmentally friendly, power generating technologies. Among these innovations, biofuel cells capable of utilising non-toxic, non-flammable and renewable fuel substrates have begun to gain momentum due to the portability and projected low cost of such devices. However, the commercialisation and mass adoption of biofuel cells has been hampered by their less than ideal performance characteristics when compared to inorganic based fuel cell technologies. For example, low power outputs due to potential losses within the cell …